All About Animals discussion

Discuss part 1 of the book here...

What do you think about the poem at the beginning of the book? What does it mean to you?

Do you know anyone who has a service dog?

How do you feel about prisoners training a dog?

In part one they talk about how Tuesday was shifted around from person to person, do you feel this is the best way to train a service dog? If not, how do you feel they should be trained?

I haven't read the book yet (but I will!). I'm going to chime in anyway. I don't know anyone who (off the top of my head) has a service dog, but my boyfriend had a retired service dog. I think he adopted her because he could trust that she wouldn't eat a couch in his absence.

A client of mine is training a beautiful, sweet, INSANE black lab to be a service dog. (Insane lab sounds a bit redundant, doesn't it?) Her family has never formally trained a dog before. I believe they are working with Guide Dogs of America. I believe in putting active, smart dogs to work. They always seem happier then. But I know that they have some questionable training techniques, such as the use of choke collars. This client has no idea that there may be better methods to train a dog. And she and her family (rightfully so) take some pride in sacrificing not only their time, but their hearts. They've fallen in love with this dog and, assuming the dog passes the test, they must hand him over to a stranger that needs him more.

I am one that doesn't agree with choke collars but that's just me. I have a puggle who picks up things really quick too. I taught him to give me a hug and then I'll give him a rub. LOL. His biggest problem is patience which I have trained him a little bit with. He is fiesty for sure but very friendly. For those that may not know what a puggle is, it's a cross between pug and beagle. Both friendly dogs.

It would be very hard to give up a dog that you spend so much time with and that you love. Hopefully with your friends dog it will all work out.

YOU HAVE A PUGGLE!? Puggles are so cute I sometimes wonder if they're real, like pandas.

I'm sure giving up this dog (again, assuming he passes the test) will be the hardest. I think he family is planning to make this an on-going thing. The difference between this and fostering a rescue: this dog is wanted by lots of people, this dog will have a purpose when he leaves your care, and this dog had to face none of the horrors of shelter life, abuse or homelessness.

Connie wrote: The difference between this and fostering a rescue: this dog is wanted by lots of people, this dog will have a purpose when he leaves your care, and this dog had to face none of the horrors of shelter life, abuse or homelessness. ..." I wish all dogs (and any animal for that matter) had a home and a wonderful life.

Connie wrote: "YOU HAVE A PUGGLE!? Puggles are so cute I sometimes wonder if they're real, like pandas.
..."

Oh yeah he's real. That are so cute when they get the head tilting. You can't even get mad at them between the head tilt and the curly tail.

I added a photo in the photos section of my two dogs if you want to see them.

Truthfully, I wasn't sure how I felt about dogs being with prisoners. If they are watched properly so they are not hurt in any way, I guess I would be ok with it. I would just worry about abuse to the animals.